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Artificial Intelligence Project

The document provides an introduction to artificial intelligence (AI), including: 1) It defines AI as the intelligence exhibited by machines or software, and the academic study of creating intelligent computer systems. 2) AI research aims to develop systems that can reason, learn new concepts, understand language, and perform other intelligent tasks. However, AI remains divided into technical subfields. 3) The document outlines some of the central challenges in AI like reasoning, knowledge, planning, and learning. It also discusses popular current approaches and tools used in AI research.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
481 views18 pages

Artificial Intelligence Project

The document provides an introduction to artificial intelligence (AI), including: 1) It defines AI as the intelligence exhibited by machines or software, and the academic study of creating intelligent computer systems. 2) AI research aims to develop systems that can reason, learn new concepts, understand language, and perform other intelligent tasks. However, AI remains divided into technical subfields. 3) The document outlines some of the central challenges in AI like reasoning, knowledge, planning, and learning. It also discusses popular current approaches and tools used in AI research.

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Tej
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© © All Rights Reserved
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CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

According to wikipedia (2015), artificial intelligence (AI) is the intelligence exhibited by machines
or software. It is also the name of the academic field of study in computer science which studies
how to create computers and computer software that are capable of intelligent behavior. Major
artificial intelligence researchers and other sources define this field as the study and design of
intelligent agents, in which an intelligent agent is a system that perceives its environment and takes
actions that maximize its chances of success. John McCarthy, who coined the term as far back as
1955, defines it as the science and engineering of making intelligent machines.

Artificial intelligence is a branch of Computer Science concerned with the study and creation of
computer systems. Artificial intelligence exhibits some form of intelligence by way of introducing
systems that learn new concepts and tasks and also have the ability to reason and draw useful
conclusions about the world. Artificial intelligence systems also can understand a natural language
or perceive and comprehend a visual scene, and perform other types of feats that require human
types of intelligence (Freitas, 1999).

Artificial intelligence research is highly technical and specialized, and is deeply divided into
subfields that often fail to communicate with each other. Some of the division is due to social and
cultural factors: subfields have grown up around particular institutions and the work of individual
researchers (Drexler, 1986). Artificial intelligence research is also divided by several technical
issues. Some subfields focus on the solution of specific problems. Others focus on one of several
possible approaches or on the use of a particular tool or towards the accomplishment of particular
applications. The central problems (or goals) of artificial intelligence research include reasoning,
knowledge, planning, learning, natural language processing (communication), perception and the
ability to move and manipulate objects. General intelligence is still among the field's long-term
goals (Bostrom, 2002). Currently popular approaches include statistical methods, computational
intelligence and traditional symbolic artificial intelligence. There are a large number of tools used in
artificial intelligence, including versions of search and mathematical optimization, logic, methods
based on probability and economics, and many others. The artificial intelligence field is
interdisciplinary, in which a number of sciences and professions converge, including computer

1
science, mathematics, psychology, linguistics, philosophy and neuroscience, as well as other
specialized fields such as artificial psychology (Hanson, 1998).

According to Moravec, (1999), the field was founded on the claim that a central property of
humans, intelligence can be so precisely described that a machine can be made to simulate it. This
raises philosophical issues about the nature of the mind and the ethics of creating artificial beings
endowed with human-like intelligence, issues which have been addressed by myth, fiction and
philosophy since antiquity (Kurzweil, 1999). Artificial intelligence has been the subject of
tremendous optimism but has also suffered stunning setbacks. Today it has become an essential part
of the technology industry, providing the heavy lifting for many of the most challenging problems
in computer science (Yudkowsky, 2003).

Artificial intelligence also deals with study of ideas to bring into being machines that respond to
stimulation consistent with traditional responses from humans, given the human capacity for
contemplation, judgment and intention (Vinge, 1993). Each such machine should engage in critical
appraisal and selection of differing opinions within itself. Produced by human skill and labor, these
machines should conduct themselves in agreement with life, spirit and sensitivity, though in reality,
they are imitations. Other researcher has seen artificial intelligence as systems that combine
sophisticated hardware and software with elaborate databases and knowledge-based processing
models to demonstrate characteristics of effective human decision making. However, the researcher
will provide an indebt study into the introduction to artificial intelligence and its application and
benefit to human being

1.2 Statement of Problem

It is a known fact that the field of artificial intelligence is relatively young (Yudkowsky, 2002). The
creation of Artificial Intelligence as an academic discipline can be traced to the 1950s, when
scientists and researchers began to consider the possibility of machines processing intellectual
capabilities similar to those of human beings. Alan Turing, a British mathematician, first proposed a
test to determine whether or not a machine is intelligent. The test later became known as the Turing
Test, in which a machine tries to disguise itself as a human being in an imitation game by giving
human-like responses to a series of questions. Turing believed that if a machine could make a
human being believe that he or she is communicating with another human being, then the machine
can be considered (Bostrom, 2002). However, artificial intelligence has been used in a wide range of
fields including medical diagnosis, stock trading, robot control, law, remote sensing, scientific
2
discovery and toys. However, many Artificial intelligence applications are not perceived as artificial
intelligence (Bostrom, 2002). A lot of cutting edge artificial intelligence has filtered into general
applications, often without being called artificial intelligence because once something becomes
useful enough and common enough it's not labeled artificial intelligence anymore," Nick Bostrom
reports. "Many thousands of artificial intelligence applications are deeply embedded in the
infrastructure of every industry. In the late 90s and early 21st century, Artificial intelligence
technology became widely used as elements of larger systems, but the field is rarely credited for
these successes. For example; finance, hospitals and medicines, heavy industries, online and
telephone customer service, transportation, telecommunication, toys and games, music,
aviation, news, publishing & writing. However, this study seeks to provide an overview of artificial
intelligence, its application and use to human being in general (Bostrom, 2002).

1.3 Objectives of the Study

1. To examine the historical development of artificial intelligence.


2. To find out the application and benefits of artificial intelligence to mankind.
3. To ascertain the prospects of artificial intelligence.

1.4 Research Questions

1. How was artificial intelligence developed historically?


2. What are the application and benefits of artificial intelligence to mankind?
3. What are the prospects of artificial intelligence?

1.5 Hypothesis

HO: Artificial intelligence does not benefit human life in any way

H1: Artificial intelligence does not benefit human life in any way

1.6 Significance of the Study

This research will be of significance in the following area:

1. It will be of help to stakeholders in various sectors for example health, finance, education,
security, engineering, manufacturing, research and technology in understanding the

3
application and benefits of Artificial intelligence to enhance productivity and effectiveness of
the sectors.
2. The findings of this research work will also serve as reference for academic endeavour to
lecturers and students and also help the public who would want to know about some
advantages and disadvantages (if any) of the use of the artificial intelligence.
3. Findings and recommendations from this study will guide the stakeholders in various sector
determine the type artificial intelligence to be adopted and also help them identify specific
areas where artificial intelligence can be applied.

1.7 Scope of the Study

This study on application and benefits of artificial intelligence will cover the overview of the
historical development of artificial intelligence as a branch of computer science that deals with
creating computers and computer software that are capable of intelligent behavior. However, this
study will examine the application and benefits of the Artificial intelligence to human life and this
research will also consider the future and prospects of artificial intelligence

1.8 Definition of Terms

In this research work, the terms defined reflect how the researcher wants them to be understood in
the context of this work

Behaviour- the way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially towards others
Artificial- made or produced by human beings rather than occurring naturally, especially as a copy
of something natural.

Computer- an electronic device which is capable of receiving information (data) in a particular form
and of performing a sequence of operations in accordance with a predetermined but variable set of
procedural instructions (program) to produce a result in the form of information or signals.

Intelligence - the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.


Innovation- The process of translating an idea or invention into a good or service that creates value

REFERENCES
Bostrom, N. (2002). "Existential Risks: Analyzing Human Extinction Scenarios and Related
Hazards." Journal of Evolution and Technology, 9.
4
http://www.nickbostrom.com/existential/risks.html
Drexler, K. E. (1986): Engines of Creation: The Coming Era of Nanotechnology. (Anchor Books:
New York, 1986). http://www.foresight.org/EOC/index.html
Freitas Jr., R. A. (1999): Nanomedicine, Volume 1: Basic Capabilities. (Landes Bioscience:
Georgetown, TX, 1999). http://www.nanomedicine.com
Hanson, R., et al. (1998). "A Critical Discussion of Vinge's Singularity Concept." Extropy Online.
http://www.extropy.org/eo/articles/vi.html
Kurzweil, R. (1999): The Age of Spiritual Machines: When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence.
(Viking: New York, 1999).
Moravec, H. (1999): Robot: Mere Machine to Transcendent Mind. (Oxford University Press: New
York, 1999).
Vinge, V. (1993). "The Coming Technological Singularity." Whole Earth Review, Winter issue.
Wikipedia, 2015: www.wikipedia.com
Yudkowsky, E. (2002). "The AI Box Experiment." Webpage.
http://sysopmind.com/essays/aibox.html

Yudkowsky, E. (2003). Creating Friendly AI 1.0. http://www.singinst.org/CFAI/index.html

5
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW
2.0 Introduction
AI is a branch of Computer Science concerned with the study and creation of computer systems. AI
exhibits some form of intelligence: Systems that learn new concepts and tasks, Can reason and draw
useful conclusions about the world.
AI systems also can understand a natural language or perceive and comprehend a visual scene, and
perform other types of feats that require human types of intelligence.
2.1 What is Artificial intelligence
"Artificial intelligence is the study of ideas to bring into being machines that respond to stimulation
consistent with traditional responses from humans, given the human capacity for contemplation,
judgment and intention. Each such machine should engage in critical appraisal and selection of
differing opinions within itself. Produced by human skill and labor, these machines should conduct
themselves in agreement with life, spirit and sensitivity, though in reality, they are imitations."
In some books and authors also write about AI that The term "artificial intelligence" is defined as
systems that combine sophisticated hardware and software with elaborate databases and knowledge
-based processing models to demonstrate characteristics of effective human decision making. The
criteria for artificial systems include Functional: the system must be capable of performing the
function for which it has been designed.
2.2 Development of Artificial Intelligence
The field of artificial intelligence is relatively young. The creation of Artificial Intelligence as an
academic discipline can be traced to the 1950s, when scientists and researchers began to consider
the possibility of machines processing intellectual capabilities similar to those of human beings.
Alan Turing, a British mathematician, first proposed a test to determine whether or not a machine is
intelligent. The test later became known as the Turing Test, in which a machine tries to disguise
itself as a human being in an imitation game by giving human -like responses to a series of
questions. Turing believed that if a machine could make a human being believe that he or she is
communicating with another human being, then the machine can be considered
as intelligent as a human being. The term "artificial intelligence" itself was created in 1956 by a
professor of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, John McCarthy. McCarthy created the term for
a conference he was organizing that year. The conference, which was later called the Dartmouth
Conference by AI researchers, established AI as a distinct discipline. The conference also defined
the major goals of AI: to understand and model the thought processes of humans and to design
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machines that mimic this behavior. Much of the AI research in the period between 1956 and 1966
was theoretical in nature. The very first AI program, the Logic Theorist (presented at the Dartmouth
Conference) was able to prove mathematical theorems. Several other programs were later on
developed by taking the advantage of AI such as "Sad Sam,"( written by Robert K. Lindsay in
1960 ) that understood simple English sentences and was capable of drawing conclusions from facts
learned in a conversation . The conclusions drawn depend on the data which is called knowledge
Base (KB) in AI.
Another was ELIZA, a program developed in 1967 by Joseph Weizenbaum at MIT that was capable
of simulating the responses of a therapist to patients. With more and more successful
demonstrations of the feasibility of AI, the focus of AI research shifted. Researchers turned their
attention to solving specific problems in areas of possible AI application. This shift in research
focus gave rise to the present-day definition of AI, that is, "a variety of research areas concerned
with extending the ability of the computer to do tasks that resemble those performed by human
beings," as V. Daniel Hunt puts it in his 1988 article "The Development of Artificial Intelligence"
(Andriole 52). Some of the most interesting areas of current AI research include expert systems,
neural networks, and robotics.
2.3 Evolution of Sub disciplines of Artificial Intelligence
The following figure 1.1 shows the attachment of AI with other disciplines of Science. It shows how
the AI is attached and important for other disciplines.
Expectations: AI in daily life
1. Communications Time management Health & safety Education
2. Goals, informational needs Games, recreation, activities
3. Products, purchases, marketing Opportunistic planning
4. Augmentation of cognition
Expectations: AI in Science
1. Automated discovery Design of experiments Triaging of resources
Interpretation of data Probing complexity
2. Biology, chemistry, medicine, climate
Expectations: AI and Infrastructure
1. Transportation
2. Commerce decision making Agriculture
3. Engineering & architecture Power & conservation
Expectations: AI and the Consumers
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1. Evolving relationship with computation Sensing, reasoning & learning
2. Personalized smart applications Products & services
3. Challenges and opportunities with data & privacy
2.4 Applications of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence has been used in a wide range of fields including medical diagnosis, stock
trading, robot control, law, remote sensing, scientific discovery and toys. However, many AI
applications are not perceived as AI: "A lot of cutting edge AI has filtered into general applications,
often without being called AI because once something becomes useful enough and common enough
it's not labeled AI anymore," Nick Bostrom reports. "Many thousands of AI applications are deeply
embedded in the infrastructure of every industry." the late 90s and early 21st century, AI technology
became widely used as elements of larger systems, but the field is rarely credited for these
successes. For example;
1. Finance
2. Hospitals and Medicines Heavy Industries
3. Online and Telephone Customer Service Transportation
4. Telecommunication Toys and Games
5. Music
6. Aviation
7. News, Publishing & Writing
AI and Education
Artificial Intelligence research can make a valuable contribution to the education of human beings.
An intellectual problem is solved, at least in many cases, by dividing it into pieces and developing a
technique for each sub problem. The sub problems are the same whether it is a computer or a person
trying to solve the problem. If a certain technique proves valuable for the computer, it may be
helpful for a human problem solver to be aware of the computer’s methods.
Some researchers in cognitive science and education have proposed the idea of intelligent CAI
(computer assisted instruction), in which a computer would be programmed as a “tutor” that would
observe the efforts of a student in solving a problem. The tutor would know about some of the
mistaken ideas people can have about a particular class of problem and would notice a student
falling into one of those traps. It could then offer advice tailored to the needs of that individual
student. A second educational advantage is indirect but ultimately more important. By deliberately
learning to imitate mechanical thinking, the learner becomes able to articulate what mechanical

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thinking is and what it is not. The exercise can lead to greater confidence about the ability to choose
a cognitive style that suits the problem.
Expert Systems
The first area of AI application we explore is expert systems, which are AI programs that can make
decisions which normally require human level of expertise. A program called DENDRAL,
developed at the Stanford Research Institute in 1965, was the grandparent of expert systems. Much
like a human chemist, it could analyze information about chemical compounds to determine their
molecular structure. A later program called MYCIN was developed in the mid-1970s and was
capable of helping physicians in diagnosis of bacterial infections. It is often referred to as the first
true expert system.
Expert systems are perhaps the most easily implemented and most widely used AI technology.
Although the effects of such systems may not be readily apparent, they have had a tremendous
impact on our lives. In fact, many of the computer programs we use today can be considered expert
systems. The spell-checking utility in our word processor is an expert system. It takes the role of a
proofreader by reading a group of sentences, checking them against the known spelling and
grammatical rules, and making suggestions of possible corrections to the writer. Expert systems,
combined with robotics, brought about automation of the manufacturing process which accelerated
production rate and reduced error. A typical assembly line that required hundreds of people in the
1950s now only requires ten to twenty people who supervise the expert systems that do the job. The
pioneers in industrial automation are Japanese automobile manufacturers such as Toyota and
Honda, with up to 80% automation of the manufacturing process.
The most advanced expert systems, like many other advanced technologies, are used extensively in
military applications. An example is the next generation fighter plane of the U.S. Air Force -- the F-
22 Raptor. The targeting computer onboard the Raptor takes the role of a radar controller by
interpreting radar signals, identifying a target, and checking its radar signature against known
enemy types stored in its database.
Neural Networks
Another area of great interest is neural networks, which implement the ability to learn into a
computer program. The ability to make connections between facts and draw conclusions is central
to learning. Humans rely on what we call common sense to make such connections. However,
something that is common sense to us may be very difficult to implement in a computer program.
One such common sense case is making a causal connection; as Charles L. Oritz Jr. wrote, "The
occurrence of an event is never an isolated matter. An event owes its existence to other events which
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causally precede it; an event's presence is, in turn, felt by certain collections of subsequent events"
(Artificial Intelligence Volume 111, p.73). Each node in a neural network must be able to take a
number of inputs, process them to determine the connections that need to be made, and send outputs
to the relevant nodes determined in the previous step. Each processing element in a neural network
receives a number of inputs and determines to which processing elements it should send the input,
and outputs the processed data to those processing elements, much like a human neuron does.
The aforementioned "Sad Sam" program is an example of the principles of a neural network in
action, though it is primitive and works with limited input. Sam is capable of drawing a conclusion
from known facts, given the sentences: "Jim is John's brother" and "Jim's mother is Mary," Sad Sam
was smart enough to understand that Mary must therefore be John's Mother (ai.about.com). While it
is relatively easy to let a program make connections among a limited set of information, there are
innumerable connections that can be made about things in the real world. The huge number of
connections that can be made in the real world makes implementation of sophisticated neural
networks a daunting task. A spin-off of the neural network problem is the fuzzy logic problem,
which deviates from traditional yes-or-no type of Boolean logic. In fuzzy logic, values are no longer
discrete and mutually exclusive; that is, a value can belong to two categories simultaneously. An
example is when one talks about temperature: ninety degrees Fahrenheit is "hot" when one is talking
about outdoor temperature, but for body temperature, it is abnormally "cold." Through the
implementation of fuzzy logic, a neural network would be able to make that same judgment.
There are still many problems in neural network research, including creating algorithms to make the
connections, to determine which sets of data should be connected, and even to abandon irrelevant
data when necessary. Miscellaneous aspects of the human learning process can present challenges
with the implementation of a neural network. The complexity of these problems is the reason why
there remains much theoretical work to be done in the field. While a complete set of solutions lies
beyond the scope of the theories and technology currently available, the principles and partial
solutions of the problem have been implemented with great success. Deep Blue, the chess-playing
program developed by IBM, is one of the few examples of an application of neural networking
principles. It was capable of learning from previous games and predicting the possible moves of an
opponent. As our understanding of the human brain and the learning process grows, so will our
ability to create more effective algorithms of learning and making connections among known ideas.
AI in Robotics
Robotics is one field within artificial intelligence. It involves mechanical, usually computer-
controlled, devices to perform tasks that require extreme precision or tedious or hazardous work by
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people. Traditional Robotics uses Artificial Intelligence planning techniques to program robot
behaviors and works toward robots as technical devices that have to be developed and controlled by
a human engineer. The Autonomous Robotics approach suggests that robots could develop and
control themselves autonomously. These robots are able to adapt to both uncertain and incomplete
information in constantly changing environments. This is possible by imitating the learning process
of a single natural organism or through Evolutionary Robotics, which is to apply selective
reproduction on populations of robots. It lets a simulated evolution process develop adaptive robots.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a general term that implies the use of a computer to model and/or
replicate intelligent behavior. Research in AI focuses on the development and analysis of algorithms
that learn and/or perform intelligent behavior with minimal human intervention. These techniques
have been and continue to be applied to a broad range of problems that arise in robotics, e-
commerce, medical diagnosis, gaming, mathematics, and military planning and logistics, to name a
few.
Several research groups fall under the general umbrella of AI in the department, but are disciplines
in their own right, including: robotics, natural language processing (NLP), computer vision,
computational biology, and e-commerce. Specifically, research is being conducted in estimation
theory, mobility mechanisms, multi-agent negotiation, natural language interfaces, machine
learning, active computer vision, probabilistic language models for use in spoken language
interfaces, and the modeling and integration of visual, haptic, auditory and motor information.
Robotics is the area of AI technology most attractive to the public. In fact, robotics could be the area
where AI can be most beneficial to mankind. The use of industrial robots that do repetitive tasks
accurately has already increased the productivity of assembly lines in manufacturing plants. The
addition of artificial intelligence to these industrial robots could further boost their productivity by
allowing them to do a wider variety of tasks and to do so more efficiently. In the future, nano-robots
not much bigger than a will be able to enter the human body, repair damaged organs, and destroy
bacterium and cancer tissues. Special-purpose robots such as bomb-defusing robots and space
exploration robots can go into hostile environments and accomplish tasks deemed too dangerous for
humans.
While the benefit of robots with AI is great, there are numerous technical hurdles encountered when
implementing AI in a robot, many of which are being researched today. A robot must be capable of
perception in order to interact with the world around it. The ability to see, hear, and touch can be
implemented through cameras, infrared and ultrasound sensors, collision sensors, and other devices.

11
While implementing these physical sensors is relatively simple, making the robot make sense of this
information can be quite difficult.
A robot called SHRDLU that can see and stack boxes on a table and even answer questions about
objects on the table. Such a robot was truly a breakthrough, for it not only was able to see three
dimensional objects but also had a basic understanding of physics and was able to use this
knowledge to accomplish work on its own. However, one must not forget that these robots can only
operate in a limited environment with a few stationery geometric objects, which the researchers
called "the micro-blocks world" (ai.about.com) . The real world is far more complex, as it contains
far more dynamic objects.
2.5 Challenges of AI
1. Users need to understand the limits of their tools and agents. (Expert systems tend to be
brittle)
2. AI applications need to be created that help bring harmony to the world rather than which
intensify battles.
3. AI applications are needed which enhance the economy rather than reduce economic
competition.
4. AI extends the reach of automation and threatens to eliminate, if not change many white-
collar jobs.
5. AI raises the bar for information literacy and computer literacy.
Ethical and moral issues of Artificial Intelligence
We are already living in that era's future, experiencing a golden age of technology, with no end, or
limit, in sight. The moral and ethical implications of artificial intelligences are obvious and there are
three sides to the argument. While one party argues that there are already too many of us living in
poverty without work there is little or no reason to create mechanical laborers (that can think
independently). And that we certainly should not create machines that can argue with us about such
issues. Another party argues that society cannot develop or take advantage of resources without the
help of machines that can think for themselves at least a little. And party number three simply
doesn't care about the issue at all, as is typical of human society.
Isaac Asimov, the science fiction author, well known for his robot novels (amongst the myriad
others), wrote the Three Laws of Robotics early in the last century which were incorporated into the
"positronic" brains of his robots in order to protect humans from a "robot revolution", and to prevent
other humans abusing them. :
2.6 The Three Laws of Robotics
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1. A robot may not injure a human being, or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to
harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would
conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the
First or Second Law.
If related to the topic it would answer appropriately, but inevitably it would come to a point of no
return. How then would it answer such a simple question? Except for with a "Does not compute" or
other similar non-committal answer. Perhaps it could say "Ask a human teacher", or "This question
is not allowed." or "'Why' is not a valid question, please restate.”
Not really good enough, is it? Asking why is the most fundamental question of all, isn't it? Without
it we'd be animals with only instinct and reflex to guide us. We'd be automatons... So the issue of
which ethical, moral and cultural values to instate on our artificially created intelligence goes on. If
it can't even answer a simple "Why?" then perhaps we should make sure these machines aren't
intelligent at all. Not capable of making any decision beyond mechanical, programmed movement,
and certainly not capable of any deductive reasoning and not in any position where it could
influence or have control over humans or human society.
2.6 Advantages & Disadvantages Of Artificial Intelligence
Without stepping into the boundary less terrain of technical specifications, listed below are insights
into the pros and cons of artificial intelligence. Like everything else in the real world, artificial
intelligence comes with its own share of advantages and disadvantages. Its advantages make its
patrons swear by it, and its disadvantages help the skeptics get more vocal about their arguments.
Pros of Artificial Intelligence
Tireless performance of tasks makes for one of the biggest advantages of artificial intelligence.
Believe it not, but with the assistance of artificial intelligence, it actually is possible to get a
particular job done without the harrowing need for a lunch break or a break for coffee. Unlike
humans who need to take a break at the drop of a hat, a machine can get a particular job done in the
blink of an eye and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Thus you see how the ‘tireless factor’ in its
very own way has managed to add to the success of artificial intelligence as we know it.
With artificial intelligence ‘copying’ becomes that much easier. Copying here does not refer to a
student copying from another in an exam. It in fact refers to the training of an artificial mind to
perform a particular task, duplication of task-performance if you will. When compared to the

13
training of a large workforce to perform a certain set of tasks, training an artificial mind to do the
same makes for a slightly more feasible option.
Most of the time, if not all the time, when a human being makes a decision, he or she does so after
taking well into consideration his/her emotions. This setback that plagues the psyche of a human
being is absent when an artificial mind performs a given task. With an artificial mind it is more
about making logical and feasible decisions and so much lesser about giving into emotions. Maybe
this is because an artificial mind feels no real emotions to speak of.
Artificial intelligence finds applications in space exploration. Intelligent robots can be used to
explore space. They are machines and hence have the ability to endure the hostile environment of
the interplanetary space. They can be made to adapt in such a way that planetary atmospheres do not
affect their physical state and functioning.
Intelligent robots can be programmed to reach the Earth's nadirs. They can be used to dig for fuels.
They can be used for mining purposes. The intelligence of machines can be harnessed for exploring
the depths of oceans. These machines serve human so well especially where human intelligence has
serious limitations.
Intelligent machines can replace human beings in many areas of work. Robots can do certain
laborious tasks. Painstaking activities, which have long been carried out by humans can be taken
over by the robots. Owing to the intelligence programmed in them, the machines can shoulder
responsibility to a certain extent. They can be made to manage themselves and their time to
complete the assigned tasks.
Emotions that often intercept rational thinking of a human being are not a hindrance for artificial
thinkers. Lacking the emotional side, robots can think logically and take the right decisions.
Sentiments are associated with moods that affect human efficiency. This is not the case with
machines with artificial intelligence.
Thus artificial intelligence can be utilized in the completion of repetitive and time-consuming tasks
efficiently.
Intelligent machines can be employed to do certain dangerous tasks. Machines equipped with
artificial intelligence can be made to thoughtfully plan towards the fulfillment of tasks and
accordingly adjust their parameters such as their speed and time. They can be made to act quickly,
unaffected by anything like emotion and take the tasks towards perfection.
Cons of Artificial Intelligence
The risk of a breakdown makes for, one of the, if not the biggest disadvantage or con of artificial
intelligence. It’s like spending a million bucks on a car to get you from Point A to Point B and
14
having to deal with the issue of the car breaking down one day after its purchase. Similarly, artificial
intelligence is all about the effortless performance of a job, but in the event of a breakdown, the
whole picture can turn dark.
Apart from the risk of a breakdown, there also always is the imminent risk of a loss of data. In
certain cases, due to the malfunction of certain components, a machine can fail to keep within its
memory the files that it should have. This is something that can also happen with humans. When a
human being is in charge of the collection and storage of data and fails to perform his or duty, it’s
something that’s accepted and often branded as human error. However, with a machine it is not
expected and this makes all the difference, ultimately making it a disadvantage.
The first concern regarding the application of artificial intelligence is about ethics and moral values.
Is it ethically correct to create replicas of human beings? Do our moral values allow us to recreate
intelligence? Intelligence is after all a gift of nature. It may not be right to install it into a machine to
make it work for our benefit.
Imagine robots working in hospitals. Do you picture them showing care and concern towards the
patients? Imagine intelligent machines employed in creative fields. Do you think the robots will
excel in such fields? Thinking machines lack a creative mind. Human beings are emotional
intellectuals. They think and feel. Their feelings guide their thoughts.
If robots begin replacing humans in every field, it may lead to unemployment. People will be left
with nothing to do. Empty time may result in its destructive use. Thinking machines will govern all
the fields and populate all positions pre-occupied by people.
Apart from all these issues, there is a fear of robots superseding us! Ideally human beings should
continue being the masters of machines. If things turn the other way round, the world will turn into
chaos. Intelligent machines may prove to be smarter than us; they might enslave us and start ruling
the world. Man's greedy creativity may endanger mankind!
Eventually, it is up to you whether to stand by artificial intelligence or understand the likely disaster
that it may lead to. In my view, there is no ideal replacement for human beings. Artificial
intelligence can help alleviate the difficulties faced by man but intelligent machines can never be
'human'.
1. Able to manufacture: the system must be capable of being manufactured by existing
manufacturing processes
2. Designable : the design of the system must be imaginable by designers working in their
cultural context; and

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3. Marketable: the system must be perceived to serve some purpose well enough, when
compared to competing approaches, to warrant its design and manufacture.
Artificial intelligence dramatically reduces or eliminates the risk to humans in many applications.
Powerful artificial intelligence software helps to fully develop the high-precision machine
capabilities of robots, often freeing them from direct human control and vastly improving their
productivity. When a robot interacts with a richly populated and variable world, it uses it senses to
gather data and then compare the sensate inputs with expectations that are imbedded in its world
model. Therefore the effectiveness of the robot is limited by the accuracy to which its programming
models the real world.

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CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the procedure adopted for this study under the following sub-headings;
3.1 Research Design of the Study
This study adopted a survey research design. A survey research design according to Osuala (2001)
centers on individual and their opinion, belief, motivation and behavior. The design was considered
suitable since the study will solicit information from people living in Ethiope West Local
Government Area in Delta State where computer studies is taught.
3.2 Area of the Study
The area of the study is Ethiope West Local Government Areas of Delta State. The reason for this
area is based on the fact the educational zone has introduced computer studies in the school
curriculum as well as researcher’s familiarity of the location which will grant her the opportunity to
supervise and monitor the whole exercise.
3.3 Population for the Study
The population for the study comprise of 100 respondents which includes 70 people living in
mosogar,5 principal, 5 vice principals and 20 computer studies teachers from Mosogar in Ethiope
West Local Government Area of Delta State.
3.4 Sample and Sampling Technique
Stratified random sampling was used to collect a sample for the study of which the researcher
arrived at 50 respondents from the local government area.
3.5 Instrument for Data Collection
The instrument for this study was constructed by the researcher. The questionnaire is the instrument
used by the researcher for the study. The questionnaire contained items sub-divided into two
sections A and B, section A sought personal demographics of the respondents while section B
looked at the importance of ICT to everyday life.
3.6 Validation of the Instrument
The research instrument was subjected to face validation by three experts in the Department of
Computer Science Education, Delta State University, Abraka in affiliation with Delta State College
of Education, Mosogar. They were requested to use their expertise to determine the suitability to the
instrument item for data collection. Observation and suggestions made were used to improve the
quality of the instrument. Face validation according to Uzoagulu (1998) is carried out to ascertain
the appropriateness of the questionnaire items.
3.7 Reliability of the Instrument
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The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach Alpha reliability test. A pilot study
of 14 respondents made up of 2 Principals, 2 Vice Principals and 10 Computer studies teachers from
secondary schools in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta state which is outside the study area.
This yields a reliability index of .77 for the first cluster and .68 for the second cluster while the
overall cluster yielded a reliability index of .72 which is a high index thus indicating the consistency
of the instrument in measuring what it intends to measure. This method was adopted because it
ascertains the internal consistency of the instrument.
3.8 Method of Data Collection
The instrument was administered by the researcher with the help of three trained research assistants
to 50 respondents through personal contact.
3.9 Method of Data Analysis
The data collected from the use of the questionnaire was analyzed using percentages to answer each
of the four research questions.

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